Erik Engle· Feb 26, 2026
Engel predicts Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to the Raiders regardless of combine performance, expects Arvell Reese to potentially be the first edge rusher off the board (possibly No. 2 to the Jets), believes the 49ers will ultimately trade Mac Jones, thinks Tyreek Hill signs with the Chiefs, and views the 49ers as a Super Bowl contender.
“He could get the lowest score of all time on the Wunderlich, and he would still go number one overall to the Raiders.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On 49ers (podcast) · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 trade and signing calls, 1 mock draft pick and 1 position order call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 8 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
2 of 5 have settled so far, averaging 50 out of 100, against 50 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Their call against what happened
positional finishTheir call against what actually happened.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
5 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Position Order CallsArvell ReeseFeb 26, 2026
Arvell Reese to be 1st edge rusher off the board
“he's already projected to to be potentially the first edge rusher off the board, maybe going as high as number two to the Jets”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- player:
- Arvel Reese
- season:
- 2025
- outcome:
- went undrafted in 2026; has not appeared on an NFL roster
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 50
- position:
- edge rusher
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- actual order:
- undrafted
- predicted order:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
Fernando Mendoza to be picked at number 1
“he could get the lowest score of all time on the Wunderlich, and he would still go number one overall to the Raiders”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 50How this was scored
- draft:
- 2026
- naive:
- a shuffled mock scores 50
- player:
- Fernando Mendoza
- season:
- 2025
- zero at:
- 32
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 50
- actual pick:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- pick accuracy:
- 100
- predicted pick:
- 1
- weeks left when called:
- 0
- mock ordering score:
- only one pick — no order to score
- Trade and Signing CallsMac JonesFeb 26, 2026
Mac Jones to move
“Ultimately, I think it's the right idea to move Mac Jones... I I think that they end up trading him.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Tyreek Hill to move to Kansas City Chiefs
“I think it's likely that he goes to the Chiefs and reunites there with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
George Pickens to move to Dallas Cowboys
“George Pickings would have been the prize, in free agency, but, obviously, he's gonna go back to Dallas”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Jake ArthurScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 98Arthur expects a close Chiefs win on Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead, predicting a final score of 27-23 for Kansas City.
- Zach HicksScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 98Hicks predicts a lower-scoring, field-goal-heavy game with the Chiefs beating the Colts 23-19, citing Indianapolis' red-zone success against Kansas City historically.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Named several players as candidates to be traded before Sunday's cut deadline, including Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, Cardinals edge Josh Sweat and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100A CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure.
- Matthew CollerTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Coller argues J.J. McCarthy's development is far behind schedule and that he will likely end up needing a fresh start with another team rather than developing into the Vikings' answer at quarterback.